Amaya Pryce: writer & life coach
  • Home
  • Offerings
    • Work with me
    • Books & articles
  • About
  • Blog
    • Professional Student of Life

Professional Student of Life

Adventures in personal growth

October: Chop wood/carry water

10/4/2017

7 Comments

 
A season left to itself will always move, however slowly, under its own patience, power and volition. ~ David Whyte

​I love that old Zen phrase "chop wood, carry water." It brings me down to earth every time I get too wrapped up in the realms of mind or spirit - because even too much spirit isn’t a good thing! We are still physical beings inhabiting a physical body in a physical world. Whether we like it or not, we still have to take out the trash, brush our teeth, pay bills.
 
After my divorce in late 2015 (following a twenty-year marriage), I went on a spiritual deep dive that ended up lasting two full years. During that period I burrowed deep within myself, spending a huge amount of time reading, writing, meditating and attending classes on personal growth. Looking back now, I jokingly refer to the sterile suburban apartment where I lived as my Himalayan cave! In many ways I was truly living the life of a monk on a spiritual quest.
 
But eventually the seasons of life change. Recently I moved to a tiny but very cool apartment in the city. The game of life is swirling all around me here, and I'm itching to get off the bench and join in again. It’s as if the past two years of going inward have finally taught me the rules that were never clear when I was playing before. Suddenly my trajectory has changed and I’m focusing outward, eager to take what I’ve learned and test it out on the gritty playing field we call the “real world.” (Never mind that one of the rules is that it’s all actually just an illusion!)
 
Not that I’m abandoning my inner work – the goal is to take it with me into everyday life. I still meditate, read, journal, say my affirmations. I turned a whole wall of my new bedroom into a giant vision board that I can see from my bed. But I also went out and got a “real” job outside the house (just a regular old job hosting in a restaurant, which I’ve never done before). Joined a gym. Bought some clothes that were not yoga pants and sneakers. Thought about dating (okay – not very seriously). Got some blonde highlights that I immediately regretted.
 
Let me emphasize that I didn’t leave my cave because I thought I should (and I didn’t go into it in the first place that way either). It wasn’t a decision I made with my mind – it just happened. After my divorce I needed the time apart to process and understand where I had lost sight of myself. It was a restless, ungrounded feeling that told me that phase was ending. To be honest, it’s scary to leave the cave – but then, it was scary to enter it in the first place. We can never know how long a phase will last or where it will lead, however much the mind craves the answers ahead of time.

And, in reality, these phases are simply opposite sides of the same coin. It’s neither better nor worse to be spiritually or physically focused – we can get to the same place by taking either route. For me, for now, it’s about toting that barge and lifting that bale. But my prayer shawl is still hanging on the back of my door, waiting for me!

7 Comments
Mojo
10/5/2017 01:48:59 am

I too was divorced late 2015, and I too have spent the last two years in my cave. Reading, writing, contemplating, growing. I think I am starting to feel the restlessness that you speak off. Recent trips out of the 'cave' have often sent me scurrying back for a bit more self reflection, but I know that I'm almost ready to leave permanently. Of course I don't know how the new, re-calibrated me will respond to what awaits me but it's nice to know my cave is there to be revisited if I need it. Wishing you much love, happiness and peace outside the cave :0)

Reply
Amaya link
10/5/2017 06:54:26 am

I love that we've had such parallel experiences, and I'd love to hear more about your adventures "outside the cave" as you have them! Please feel free to contact me through this website and let me know how it's going. :)

Reply
Alison
10/9/2017 06:25:27 am

Love this Amaya and great to hear you're entering this new outward phase! Congrats on the job too...sounds like fun!

Reply
Catherine A. Connell
10/9/2017 06:48:03 am

Thank you beautiful soul for sharing your heart! You are precious💗

Reply
Wendy Porter
10/9/2017 11:39:55 am

I had a friend who lived in a spiritual fellowship center. He finally left after 3 years. He felt if he continued to stay in the safe cocoon of like minded people, he wouldn't get the chance to live what he'd been taught. Reminds me of you, stretching your wings in a very vibrant place and writing a new chapter.

Reply
Rebecca Collinge
10/9/2017 03:22:20 pm

It has taken me 7 yrs after the death of my husband to know it is time to leave my healing, nurturing cave. Soon I will be selling my house and moving by myself to a rural area of our country which has long been calling me. I finally listened to the call. Scary, yes. Do I know what will happen? No. I'm 76 yrs old and ready for the adventure. What fun !! Your post so resonated with me. Good job in following your heart.

Reply
Amaya
10/9/2017 03:42:00 pm

Good luck, Rebecca! And please let me know if I can help in any way.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Join the family!

    ​By entering your email address you agree to receive my (quasi-) monthly blog, which occasionally includes offers from me. Per my privacy policy, you can unsubscribe at any time.
    * indicates required


    Archives

    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

Privacy Policy
Website and content by Amaya Pryce, writer and life coach. All rights reserved.
​Contact: amaya.pryce@gmail.com
  • Home
  • Offerings
    • Work with me
    • Books & articles
  • About
  • Blog
    • Professional Student of Life